20 Classroom Social Stories for Preschool & Kindergarten + 2 FREE Printables
Starting preschool or kindergarten can be a big change for a young child.
There are new people, new routines, new sounds, new expectations, and many little moments that happen throughout the day. Something that seems simple to an adult, such as lining up, saying goodbye, waiting for a turn, or asking for help, may not always feel simple to a young child.
This is where social stories can be helpful.
A short story with simple language and familiar pictures can give children a chance to see what a situation may look like before they experience it. It can also give them words and ideas for what they can do.
What Is a Social Story?
A social story is a short story that explains an everyday situation in a way that is easy for a child to understand.
For example, a story about Morning Arrival can show a child what happens when they arrive at school:
- Say hello
- Put belongings away
- Wash hands
- Join the teacher and friends
- Get ready for the day
Instead of giving a child a long list of instructions, the story gives them something they can look at and talk about.
Social stories can be especially useful when a child is learning a new routine or needs extra support understanding what happens next.
Why Use Social Stories in Preschool and Kindergarten?
Young children learn in many different ways. Some children understand information more easily when they can see it as well as hear it.
A social story can help make an unfamiliar situation feel more predictable.
For example, a child may wonder:
"Who will be there when I arrive?"
"When will my grown-up leave?"
"What do I do when I need the washroom?"
"What happens if the classroom schedule changes?"
"How do I ask to play with other children?"
A simple story gives the child an opportunity to learn about these situations before they happen.
It does not have to be complicated. In fact, simple is often better.
20 Classroom Situations That Can Be Supported With Social Stories
There are many everyday moments where a social story can be useful.
Here are 20 examples for preschool and kindergarten classrooms:
1. Morning Arrival
Helps children understand what to do when they arrive at school or daycare.
2. Saying Goodbye to Grown-Ups
Supports children during separation from parents or caregivers.
3. Circle Time Ready
Shows children what they can do during group time.
4. Lining Up and Walking Together
Helps children understand how to move safely with the class.
5. Pack-Up Time
Supports the transition from activities to getting ready to leave.
6. Taking Turns With Toys
Introduces the idea of waiting and taking turns during play.
7. Using a Quiet Voice
Helps children learn that different places may have different voice expectations.
8. Keeping Hands and Feet to Myself
Supports safe and respectful interactions with classmates.
9. Asking to Join Play
Gives children simple language they can use when they want to play with others.
10. Blurting Out or Interrupting
Helps children practice waiting for an appropriate time to speak.
11. When Plans Change Unexpectedly
Prepares children for changes to a familiar classroom routine.
12. When I Feel Overwhelmed or Need a Break
Introduces simple ways children can recognize when they need a break.
13. Handling Teasing or Unkind Words
Gives children appropriate ways to respond and seek adult support.
14. Outdoor Play
Helps children understand expectations during outdoor activities.
15. Using the Washroom
Breaks the routine into simple, easy-to-follow steps.
16. Lunch Time
Supports children with the routine of sitting, eating, drinking, and cleaning up.
17. Recess Time
Prepares children for expectations during recess.
18. Fire Drill
Helps introduce an important safety routine before a drill happens.
19. Asking for Help
Shows children that it is okay to ask a trusted adult for support.
20. Going to an Assembly
Prepares children for sitting with a group and following a different classroom routine.
How to Use Social Stories With Young Children
You do not need a complicated plan to use a social story.
A few minutes can be enough.
Read the Story Before the Situation
Try reading the story when the child is calm.
For example, if a child finds morning arrival difficult, read the Morning Arrival story before leaving home or before entering the classroom.
This gives the child a chance to think about what will happen.
Look at the Pictures Together
Talk about the pictures instead of simply reading every sentence.
You might say:
"What do you think happens next?"
"Where does the backpack go?"
"Who can you ask for help?"
Keep the conversation relaxed.
Practice When There Is No Pressure
If the story is about asking to join play, practice the words during a calm play activity.
You can model:
"Can I play too?"
Then let the child practice.
Read It Again
Children often need repetition.
There is no need to read the entire story every time. You can look at the pages that are most useful for that child or situation.
FREE SOCIAL STORIES FOR YOU
To help you get started, I have included two free one-page social stories.
FREE STORY 1: Morning Arrival
Morning arrival can be a difficult part of the day for some children.
The story walks through a simple classroom arrival routine, including saying hello, putting belongings away, washing hands, joining the teacher and friends, and getting ready for the day.
FREE STORY 2: Asking for Help
Children need to know that asking for help is okay.
This story shows children simple steps they can use when they need support, including finding their teacher, explaining what they need, and accepting help.
I hope these two stories are useful for your classroom, daycare, or home.
Simple Tips for Making Social Stories Work
Every child is different, so you may need to adjust how you use them.
Here are a few things that can help:
Keep the language simple.
Young children do not need long explanations.
Use familiar words.
If your classroom says "pack up," use "pack up" in the story.
Read before the difficult moment.
It is usually easier to teach a skill when the child is calm.
Use the story more than once.
Repetition can help children become familiar with a routine.
Give children time.
A social story is a support, not a demand for immediate change.
Celebrate small steps.
If a child remembers one part of the routine, that is progress.
When a Child Needs Extra Support
Some classroom situations can be especially challenging for young children.
A child may become upset when the schedule changes, have difficulty waiting, struggle with transitions, or not know how to ask for help.
A social story cannot solve every challenge, and it should not be used as a punishment.
Instead, think of it as one small tool in your classroom toolbox.
The goal is to help the child understand the situation and feel more prepared.
Sometimes a child simply needs more time, practice, reassurance, or support from an adult.
20 One-Page Classroom Social Stories
If you are looking for more stories to use throughout the school day, I created a collection of 20 one-page classroom social stories for preschool and kindergarten
The stories cover common routines, transitions, social situations, and safety moments that young children may experience at school.
Included Stories
Morning Arrival
Saying Goodbye to Grown-Ups
Circle Time Ready
Lining Up and Walking Together
Pack-Up Time
Taking Turns With Toys
Using a Quiet Voice
Keeping Hands and Feet to Myself
Asking to Join Play
Blurting Out or Interrupting
When Plans Change Unexpectedly
When I Feel Overwhelmed or Need a Break
Handling Teasing or Unkind Words
Outdoor Play
Using the Washroom
Lunch Time
Recess Time
Fire Drill
Asking for Help
Going to an Assembly
The stories use simple visuals and easy-to-follow language so they can be used as a quick classroom support.
A Little Preparation Can Make a Big Difference
Preschool and kindergarten are full of new experiences.
A child may not always know what is going to happen next, and that uncertainty can make an ordinary classroom moment feel much harder.
Taking a few minutes to introduce a routine ahead of time can help.
A simple story, a few pictures, and a little practice can give a child something familiar to hold onto when they face a new situation.
You do not need to make every moment perfect.
Sometimes, helping a child know what comes next is a great place to start.
Download the two free social stories above and try them with your child or students.
I hope they make one small part of your classroom day a little easier. ❤️
MORE CLASSROOM RESOURCES
Looking for more simple, autism-friendly classroom supports?
KidRoutinePrintables offers printable social stories, visual supports, classroom routines, and more.